Pediatric Dietary Supplement Use-An Update

Dietary supplements represent a body of products as diverse as any hospital formulary. Although health care providers may receive little education about these products, dietary supplement use among pediatric populations is rapidly growing.. This report reviews the specific reasons why caregivers and patients may choose alternative remedies and discusses the importance of screening pediatric patients for dietary supplement use. In addition, potential toxicities of dietary supplements are reviewed, with an emphasis on special hazards to children and adolescents. Common herb-drug interactions are also discussed.